we left allen in an ice/snow storm. seriously, we didn't know if we were going to be able to get away from home. it took us an hour to drive about 10 miles...it was scary....but we overcame.
we drove down to san antonio and arrived just before griffin and ella's normal bed time. in the past, we have tried to keep the kids on their regular schedule, but quite honestly, this isn't working out as a hotel strategy. so this time around, we decided to keep them out late, party it up, feed them, take them shopping, anything that makes them sleepy!!! when we got to san antonio we took them for ice cream, and i took ella shopping for some boots. unfortunately for her, outgrowing your winter boots (that complete all of your outfits) in february, is a BAD DEAL! it seems all the stores are selling spring stuff, and therefore her cold feet weren't getting any warmer. poor ella...
the next day we were up and at 'em. we had to get on the road to make it to mcallen, texas by saturday evening. but first, since we were in san antonio, we decided to make a quick trip and remember the alamo. anyone who has ever been there, can understand when i say that it doesn't take long to remember the alamo. it's not as big as one might think, and i'm not sure, but i think it shrunk since last time i was there in 1996....i remember the year because randy and i celebrated our 1st year anniversary in san antonio, and we remembered the alamo then, too. the kids were so impressed. as i recall, the first thing they said was, "where is the gift shop?"*sigh*
we got back in the car, but not before griffin had to use the restroom....at the alamo...which is his favorite part of the adventure if you ask him. i guess that's better than the gift shop, but i'm not sure...
back on the road.... we drove and we drove and we drove. and in between, we got out of the van, used the restroom, got a snack, got gas, and then we all got back in the van. the getting in and out takes more time than one might think....as we have to unpack the van, get the kids out, pack the van back up, unpack the van, put the kids in, pack the van back up. it's a bit like jenga getting all of our stuff in there, but i don't seem to notice it being a big deal........when it's warm. *sigh*
once in mcallen, we were greeted with warm, sunny skies. it was fantastic! we took off our coats, put on our flip flops, and ella's feet finally thawed out. the church was wonderful, so many friendly people. randy got to enjoy spending time with the pastor that he grew up with as a teenager, and i finally got to meet them! we were in service that sunday morning and at their mission's convention sunday night. which meant we didn't watch the superbowl. i was excited about the mission's convention, and possibly more excited to miss the supberbowl.
while we were in mcallen, we decided to drive down to the border. it was only about 10 minutes...so i took some pictures.
apparently, there really is a fence between us and mexico....i thought it was figurative...but nope....there really is a fence.
monday morning we were up again...but let me make it clear, we do not just wake up in morning time. oh no, we wake up all night long. we just only come out of our hotel room in the morning time. ella loves to wake up, cry, get in bed with us, sleep on our heads, scratch our faces, pull our ears, and kick us in the face all night long. it's awesome.... *sigh*
anyway, back to our monday morning. since we had a service scheduled in the houston area for wednesday night, we decided to take our time making our way up the coast of the gulf of mexico. we started by going to south padre island....after all, sunday it was 75 degrees outside. beautiful! perfect! what could be better than the beach?!?! *sigh*
we stopped at an interesting store on our way...griffin tried on a hat.
it was 65 degrees and so windy i was afraid we may actually end up in mexico. which got me to thinking, man, i wish i was going to mexico! nonetheless, we frolicked in the sand and made an afternoon of it.
the next day we headed north. we saw the ocean, we even rode a ferry. we spent the night somewhere, i'm not sure where. we ate with the locals...of whatever town we were in. we became concerned about the weather as we headed north, as it became clear our wednesday night service would probably be a no go. thank you 24 degree weather and threat of precipitation. *sigh*
we made it home today. after 6 days of travel, 6 nights in a hotel, 2 services, 43 times of someone saying, "how many kids' menus do you need?!?!?!", and 27,000 times of telling our children not run, jump, or yell in a hotel.
and now, now we do the laundry....because we leave again saturday. :)
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